Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, ¹  to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you,

For you are our glory and joy!

For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, ¹  about our coming to you – it has not proven to be purposeless. ² 

We thank God always for all of you as we mention you constantly ¹  in our prayers,

As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his own children,

exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you live in a way worthy of God who calls you to his own kingdom and his glory.

For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know. ¹ 

Now on the topic of brotherly love ¹  you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

in that ¹  our gospel did not come to you merely in words, ²  but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (surely you recall the character we displayed when we came among you to help you). ³ 

But you, brothers and sisters, ¹  are not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would.

Finally then, brothers and sisters, ¹  we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us about how ²  you must live and please God (as you are in fact living) ³  that you do so more and more.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. ¹ 

For this is God’s will: that you become holy, ¹  that you keep away from sexual immorality,

You are witnesses, and so is God, as to how holy and righteous and blameless our conduct was toward you who believe.

with such affection for you ¹  we were happy ²  to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

For you recall, brothers and sisters, ¹  our toil and drudgery: By working night and day so as not to impose a burden on any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

Now on the topic of times and seasons, ¹  brothers and sisters, ²  you have no need for anything to be written to you.

He who calls you is trustworthy, and he will in fact do this. ¹ 

For people everywhere ¹  report how you welcomed us ²  and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God